MPs Required to Submit Their Parliamentary Speeches in Advance
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) instructing its
MPs to submit their speech notes a day before speaking in Parliament has sparked an important constitutional debate.
Article 103 of Nepal’s Constitution guarantees Members of Parliament full freedom of speech within the Federal Parliament and protects them through parliamentary privilege. These safeguards exist to ensure legislators can speak freely, hold the government accountable, and represent the public without fear of external pressure or interference.
Political parties are entitled to maintain internal discipline and coordinate parliamentary strategy. However, when prior approval or mandatory pre-screening of speeches becomes a requirement, it raises legitimate questions about whether internal party management begins to encroach on the constitutional independence of elected representatives.
The issue is larger than one political party. It goes to the heart of parliamentary democracy. Important questions in this discourse include, can MPs effectively hold even their own government accountable if their interventions are subject to prior review? Where should the line be drawn between party discipline and parliamentary privilege? And does mandatory submission of speech notes enhance legislative effectiveness, or does it risk creating a chilling effect on free parliamentary debate?
Strong democracies depend not only on party cohesion but also on the ability of legislators to question, criticize, and debate freely, including within their own parties. Parliamentary privilege is not a privilege for individual politicians; it is a constitutional safeguard designed to protect democratic deliberation and public accountability.
This development deserves careful public discussion, regardless of which party is involved.
CIB Warns of Fraudulent Emails Impersonating Police Officials
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has warned the public about fraudulent emails sent in the names of current and former CIB chiefs
to intimidate recipients with false claims of legal action. The scam emails falsely allege that criminal cases have been filed and demand an immediate response to avoid prosecution. CIB clarified that it does not send such emails, has launched a technical investigation to identify those responsible, and urged the public to remain vigilant and verify any suspicious correspondence with the Cyber Bureau or the nearest police office.
TikTok Removes Nearly 2 Million Videos from Nepal in Early 2026
TikTok removed 1.96 million videos from Nepal between January and March 2026 for violating its Community Guidelines, with 99.2% detected proactively and 86.5% removed within 24 hours. The platform also reported increased enforcement on TikTok Live and disclosed that, in the second half of 2025, it acted on over 1,000 pieces of content following requests from the Nepal government while declining action on 888 others.
Nepal Telecom and Ncell to Phase Out 3G Services
Nepal Telecom and Ncell are gradually shutting down 3G services as part of their network modernization plans, reallocating spectrum to expand 4G, improve VoLTE services, and prepare for future 5G deployment. Customers using 3G are encouraged to upgrade to free 4G SIMs to continue accessing voice and mobile data services.
DSP Summoned Over Viral Remarks About Nepal Police
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Prasannaraj Chaudhary has been called to the Kailali District Police Office for an internal inquiry after his remarks during a student interaction went viral on social media. The inquiry will examine his statement, “We are not Balen’s police, we are Nepal Police”, along with his overall performance, administrative conduct, and the local security situation.
Government Unveils Digital Public Grievance System Under National Integrity Policy
The government has introduced the National Integrity Policy, 2026, which proposes a technology-driven online grievance system to improve transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement. The platform will allow citizens to submit complaints online, receive SMS tracking numbers, participate in virtual hearings, and monitor case progress through a public dashboard, with complaints categorized by priority and resolved within 7–15 days. The policy also mandates public asset disclosure by politically appointed officials and lays the groundwork for a National Integrity Act to strengthen digital governance, anti-corruption measures, and public accountability.
Sextortion Scam in Nepal Highlights Rising Online Blackmail Risks
A recent sextortion case has exposed the growing threat of technology-enabled sexual blackmail in Nepal, after a former Lumbini Province minister was targeted through a fake TikTok profile. Police arrested the main suspect, who allegedly blackmailed around 400 victims by luring them into paid video calls, recording their images, and demanding money under the threat of public exposure. Authorities have urged the public to avoid engaging with unknown online profiles and to report sextortion attempts immediately to the Cyber Bureau or the nearest police station.
ADB Commits $2.4 Billion to Nepal’s Digital Transformation and Infrastructure
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged US$2.4 billion in support for Nepal between 2025 and 2029 to advance digital transformation, sustainable infrastructure, and economic reforms. During the visit of ADB President Masato Kanda, the bank also signed a US$50 million loan agreement to modernize Nepal’s digital trade system and announced support for AI-based education initiatives, water and sanitation projects, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Nepal Launches Revamped Government Portal with AI-Powered Search
The Government of Nepal has launched a trial version of its redesigned official portal (nepal.gov.np), marking its first major overhaul in nearly a decade. The new portal introduces an AI-powered search feature, quick access to key public services such as passports, national ID, PAN, and land records, and a more modern interface aimed at improving digital service delivery. While the redesign enhances usability, some issues, including inconsistent fonts, interface glitches, and visual design elements, remain to be refined before the final release.
Security Concerns Raised Over Nepal Telecom Authority’s Website
Nepal Telecommunications Authority’s official website has raised cybersecurity concerns after browsers began displaying a “Not Secure” warning, indicating a possible SSL/TLS configuration issue. As the portal handles sensitive services such as IMEI registration, complaint management, and lost phone reporting, experts warn that the issue could expose users to security risks and undermine confidence in Nepal’s digital governance and cybersecurity standards.
YouTuber Remanded in Cybercrime Case Over Obscene Content Targeting Prime Minister
Pachthar district court has ordered YouTuber Roshan Pokhrel to remain in judicial custody pending trial in a cybercrime case over allegedly posting obscene content targeting Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) and his family. Charged under Section 47 of the Electronic Transactions Act, 2006, Pokhrel admitted creating the content to gain social media engagement. He faces up to five years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both if convicted.
Government Blocks Over 248,000 Illegal Online Betting Domains
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology reported that, within its first 100 days, the government shut down 26 registered betting apps and blocked 248,676 illegal online betting and gambling domain links. The action was taken under Nepal’s Muluki Criminal Code, 2074, which prohibits online gambling and betting.
Health Ministry Issues Code of Conduct Restricting Social Media Use at Work
The Ministry of Health and Food Safety has introduced a new code of conduct requiring employees to maintain professional, transparent, and service-oriented behavior. The directive prohibits personal use of social media during office hours, restricts the disclosure of official information through digital platforms, and sets standards for patient confidentiality, priority care, and oversight of compliance across the ministry and its subordinate bodies.
